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Australia tour of Pakistan (2026)

Which side will win the three-match T20I series between Australia and Pakistan?

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Australia set for white-ball tour to Pakistan in early 2026, confirms CA CEO​


Three-match ODI and three-match T20I series is scheduled for February–March 2026

In a recent virtual press conference, Greenberg underscored the importance of the bilateral engagement, noting that the three-match ODI and three-match T20I series, scheduled for February–March 2026 under the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP), is a crucial part of Australia’s international calendar.

“I believe it will be another good tour of Pakistan. The series against Pakistan is an important part of our schedule,” said Greenberg. “There has been good communication between Pakistan and Australia regarding both red-ball and white-ball series.”

Reflecting on Australia’s 2022 tour of Pakistan, their first in over two decades, Greenberg praised the hospitality and success of that visit, calling it a “very positive experience” that set the foundation for future engagements.

Pakistani players in BBL

In addition to the tour announcement, Greenberg also spoke about the Big Bash League (BBL), confirming that efforts are underway to include leading Pakistani players in the upcoming editions.

“There is no doubt that Pakistani players are very popular within the community,” he said. “If top players from Pakistan come to the BBL, they will definitely enjoy it, and the league will benefit greatly from their inclusion.”

He affirmed CA’s intention to continue attracting global talent to the BBL, adding, “I hope we will definitely attract some players for the next edition of the BBL.”

Pakistan's last tour of Australia

Pakistan last toured Australia in November 2024 for a white-ball series, which saw a mix of fortunes. Under the captaincy of Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan clinched a historic 2-1 ODI series victory, marking their first series win in Australia since 2002. However, the home side responded with a dominant 3-0 sweep in the T20I series.

With the next chapter of their cricketing rivalry now confirmed, the upcoming white-ball tour in 2026 promises to be another exciting milestone in Pakistan–Australia cricket relations.
 
This is exactly what's required.

Our players playing in SENA conditions more regularly will elevate their game and confidence levels to be well rounded cricketers in all conditions.

The PSL AND BBL develop a collaboration of player exchanges similar to Lahore Qalandar's and Melbourne stars and both leagues can benefit and reap the rewards.
 
CA Delegation Arrives in Pakistan to Assess Safety Measures Before Upcoming White-Ball Tour

Cricket Australia (CA) delegation is in Lahore to review security arrangements ahead of the team's three-match T20I series against Pakistan in January next year. The delegation includes an independent security advisor and an official of the Australian Cricketers' Association. Australia will tour Pakistan in early next year for a white-ball series, scheduled to be played in two phases. The first phase comprises a three-match T20I series in January. Though the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet announced the venues and dates, it appears that all three games will be held in Lahore.

The delegation's programme includes visits to the Gaddafi Stadium and the LCCA Ground in Lahore, as well as the hotel where the Australian team will stay. They are also scheduled to meet PCB officials and government and security representatives.

Australia is set to tour Pakistan again in March next year for a three-match ODI series, but indications are that the series may be moved to another window ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Officials from the Australian High Commission have also met PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the federal interior minister, to discuss the tour. The meeting came after some Sri Lankan cricketers were instructed by their board to remain in Pakistan and complete a white-ball series last month.
 
Seriously man, no test series coming after Ashes between any major test team for next 6 months.
 
PCB announces dates for three-match Australia T20I series

Lahore, 14 January 2026:

The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed the dates for Australia’s T20I tour of Pakistan later this month. The three-match T20I series scheduled to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore will take place on 29, 31 January and 1 February.

Australia’s T20I squad will arrive in Lahore on Wednesday, 28 January. The coin toss in all the three matches is set to take place at 5.30pm PKT with the first ball expected to be bowled at 6pm PKT.

The series serves as crucial game time for both the sides ahead of the all-important ICC Men’s T20I World Cup 2026, where Pakistan are placed in Group A and Australia in Group B.

This will also be Australia’s third trip to Pakistan since March-April 2022, when they played a three-match Test and ODI series followed by a solitary T20I. They played three of their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches in the country as well.

Australia bagged a close three-wicket win in the only T20I they played at the Gaddafi Stadium on 5 April 2022.

COO PCB, Sumair Ahmed Syed:

“We are excited and look forward to hosting Australia for the three-match T20I series here in Lahore. The tour marks a blockbuster beginning of the year for Pakistan Cricket fans and I urge them to turn out in numbers during the series to support both the teams as they put final touches to their T20 World Cup preparations.

“I’m sure the Gaddafi Stadium has become a familiar sight for Australian Cricket team as they have played a Test, five ODIs and a T20I here since March 2022.”

Series schedule: (All matches at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore)

1st T20I – Thursday, 29 January – 6pm PKT
2nd T20I – Saturday, 31 January – 6pm PKT
3rd T20I – Sunday, 1 February – 6pm PKT
 
Short and sweet tour and the timing is good too just a couple of weeks out from the World Cup
 
The way our players are playing in BBL, they can send just send their C team even and let main players continue to play BBL.
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
Short and sweet tour and the timing is good too just a couple of weeks out from the World Cup
Click to expand...
Why usman tariq not in pakistan world cup squad then we wonder why pakistan don't perform well in icc tournaments when you get a match winner like usman tariq why wouldn't you play him every team will die to have him.
 
Aqib_mustafa said:
Why usman tariq not in pakistan world cup squad then we wonder why pakistan don't perform well in icc tournaments when you get a match winner like usman tariq why wouldn't you play him every team will die to have him.
Click to expand...
When was the World Cup squad announced?
 
mon858 said:
The way our players are playing in BBL, they can send just send their C team even and let main players continue to play BBL.
Click to expand...
Only Rizwan and Babar has been bad. Which every sane and intelligent fan could've guessed
 
I hope PCB for once prepares a spicy pitch instead of flat paradises. WC in SL is going to be dominated by spinners so we need to work on that aspect.
 
This is going to be good practise series for both team and Australia will send Full strength team to prepare for the World T20. :kp
 
WC and Pakistan first match begins on Feb 7. Glad its not super to close to the WC date. It still gives the team enough time to adequately travel, rest, and get some training/practice in before the match on Feb 7.

The key things to watch and settle on will be:

- Who is the first choice keeper in the lineup? Usman or Nafay. They need to figure this out.
- Will Babar be accommodated for in the lineup and is it worth pushing Salman down when he's had his most success at 3?
- First choice pace attack - will Shaheen be healthy in time?

Hopefully they will use this series to get some answers of these questions and settle on the first choice playing XI.
 
I hope Aus send a full strength squad , otherwise our intent merchants will send them into oblivion. Pakistan cricket under the leadership of Agha is on a roll, evident by his blitzing SR300+ knock in Dambulla
 
Kianig89 said:
I hope Aus send a full strength squad , otherwise our intent merchants will send them into oblivion. Pakistan cricket under the leadership of Agha is on a roll, evident by his blitzing SR300+ knock in Dambulla
Click to expand...

Yeah. If Australia send in a depleted side, they may get whitewashed.

Pakistan's T20 team is now pretty strong.
 
MEDIA RELEASE
January 19, 2026

Australian men’s squad for the Qantas Tour of Pakistan

The National Selection Panel (NSP) today announced a 17-player squad for the T20 International Series against Pakistan in Lahore later this month.

Australia:

Mitchell Marsh (Perth Scorchers/Fremantle Cricket Club) (c)

Sean Abbott (Sydney Sixers/Parramatta District Cricket Club) 

Xavier Bartlett (Brisbane Heat/Gold Coast Cricket Club)

Mahli Beardman (Perth Scorchers/Melville Cricket Club)

Cooper Connolly (Perth Scorchers/ Scarborough Cricket Club)

Ben Dwarshuis (Sydney Sixers/ Sutherland Cricket Club)

Jack Edwards (Sydney Sixers/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)

Cameron Green (Subiaco-Floreat Cricket Club)

Travis Head (Adelaide Strikers/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)

Josh Inglis (Perth Scorchers/Joondalup Cricket Club)

Matthew Kuhnemann (Brisbane Heat/Clarence Cricket Club)

Mitch Owen (Hobart Hurricanes/New Town Cricket Club)

Josh Philippe (Sydney Sixers/ Western Suburbs District Cricket Club)

Matthew Renshaw (Brisbane Heat/Toombul Cricket Club)

Matthew Short (Adelaide Strikers/Northcote Cricket Club)

Marcus Stoinis (Melbourne Stars/Scarborough Cricket Club)

Adam Zampa (Melbourne Renegades/Sutherland Cricket Club)

The series is a prelude to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India. Australia will travel from Pakistan to Sri Lanka following the three matches to prepare for the first World Cup game against Ireland in Colombo.

There are 10 members of the World Cup squad travelling to Pakistan.

Nathan Ellis, Tim David, Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins will join the World Cup squad in Sri Lanka as they return from injury and loads are managed into the World Cup.

Sean Abbott, Mahli Beardman, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mitch Owen, Josh Phillippe and Matt Renshaw come into the squad.

Chair of Selectors George Bailey said:

“The series is a great opportunity for those on the brink of selection and some young players we rate highly for valuable experience with the World Cup group in Pakistan.

“Some are already experienced international players along with Mahli Beardman who has been with the group a number of times and Jack Edwards who joined for the last one-day match against India in Sydney last year.”

Players competing in the remainder of the BBL will join the squad in Pakistan once their tournament is complete.
 
I believe 31st is the last day to make any changes and submit the finalized squad to the ICC. Based on the schedule, the first T20 will be their last look at the guys before submitting.

Nafay will need to be given another look. They will need to finalize which fast bowlers they are taking too.
 
1. M Marsh (c)
2. T Head
3. M Short
4. C Green / M Owen
5. M Stoinis
6. C Connolly / M Owen
7. J Inglis (wk)
8. B Dwarshius
9. S Abbott
10. X Bartlett
11. A Zampa

Hammering won't stop in Lahore 🔥
 
Most likely Pakistan will.be without Babar Azam for this series , so intent merchants will get a good test of their skills. Australia has a well balanced squad for any type of wicket.
Finally Salman Agha the skipper will something real to fight after the lopsy trieseries and rain hampered SL tour.
Well I can feel pity for Pakistan pacers , as Australia will test them to their limit :133:
 
Match officials announced for Pakistan v Australia T20I series

The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the match officials’ panel for three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore from 29 January to 1 February. The games will start at 4pm PKT with the coin toss set to take place at 3.30pm PKT.

ICC International Panel Match Referee Ali Naqvi will lead the playing control team in all the three matches. The second game will be his 50th T20I as match referee as he officiated his first game in the format at the same venue in April 2023.

Ahsan Raza, member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, will be one of the on-field umpires during the first two T20Is, while Asif Yaqoob of ICC Emerging Panel of Umpires and Rashid Riaz of the ICC International Panel of Umpires will join him on the field in the first and second T20Is, respectively.

Rashid, fourth umpire in first T20I, will join Nasir Hussain of ICC International Panel of Umpires in the third T20I to perform the on-field duties with PCB National Elite Panel of Umpires member Zulfiqar Jan being the fourth umpire.

Apart from being the fourth umpire in the second game, Nasir will begin the series as third umpire, while Asif and Tariq Rasheed of PCB National Elite Panel of Umpires will perform the third umpire duties in the second and third T20I, respectively.

1st T20I – 29 January – Ahsan Raza and Asif Yaqoob – on-field umpires, Nasir Hussain – third umpire, Rashid Riaz – fourth umpire, Ali Naqvi – match referee

2nd T20I – 31 January – Ahsan Raza and Rashid Riaz - on-field umpires, Asif Yaqoob - third umpire, Nasir Hussain fourth Umpire, Ali Naqvi – match referee

3rd T20I – 1 February – Rashid Riaz and Nasir Hussain – on-field umpires, Tariq Rasheed - third umpire, Zulfiqar Jan – fourth umpire, Ali Naqvi – match referee

www.pcb.com.pk

Match officials announced for Pakistan v Australia T20I series

Former Test Cricketer and ICC International Panel Mach Referee Ali Naqvi set to complete 50 T20Is as head of playing control teams Lahore, 22 January 2026: The Pakistan Cricket...
www.pcb.com.pk www.pcb.com.pk
 
We should try to replicate the Sri Lankan pitches in this series, rather than go with flat ones?

I don't know though, as it's a world cup Sri Lanka might also go with flat pitches rather than the usual slower / lower / spin friendly ones.
 
RidiculousMan said:
1. M Marsh (c)
2. T Head
3. M Short
4. C Green / M Owen
5. M Stoinis
6. C Connolly / M Owen
7. J Inglis (wk)
8. B Dwarshius
9. S Abbott
10. X Bartlett
11. A Zampa

Hammering won't stop in Lahore 🔥
Click to expand...
One of Dwarshius or Abbott should play. The other spot should be taken by Mahli Beardman.
 
I couldn't help but reminisce about the good old days when we would pick 16 players for an overseas tour of 5 test matches. Those were the days of simplicity and efficiency. However, fast forward to today, and it seems we've completely changed our approach. Now, we find ourselves picking a truckload of players for just 3 T20 games played at home.

What's even more intriguing about our current selection process is the choice of wicket-keepers. We've gone from having reliable, skilled wicket-keepers to selecting three kachra keepers
 
BouncerGuy said:
Yeah. Good stuff tbh.

I think it will give another chance to Nafay to cement his place for WC as keeper...
Click to expand...
only if he plays, u know about the seniority and friendship role.. Haris and Hasan Nawaz were shelved for the return of Babar and Rizwan for WT20.. Good Rizwan got retired out and was totally embarrased in the whole tournament in BBL..
 
They played a tri-series right before Champions trophy and got some kneejerk reactions out of it , confidence gone low..

Even if they lose badly in this series and in the WT20 , keep a performance review for players and take actions to send them for improvement..

Hope PCB , doesnt change the coach or the captain for poor performance in WT20 but continues to select players like Babar Shaheen Naseem and Shadab again and again for their past glory...
 
Australian squad reaches Lahore for Pakistan T20I series

The 17-member squad has arrived for the three-match T20 series, which begins tomorrow at Gaddafi Stadium.
 
Update on Pakistan T20I Squad

Fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jnr has been released from Pakistan’s T20I squad for the remaining two matches of the series against Australia.
 
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